Working for the United States Coast Guard highlights the importance of maintaining a professional and respectful workplace for everyone. Coast Guard missions require teamwork and trust among colleagues for the success of any operation, and workplace harassment whether physical, verbal, or emotional has no place in the Service. It can cause severe damage not only to the individual, but also to the unit or even Coast Guard missions.
Harassment is defined as any unwelcome conduct that is based on a protected category. It may become unlawful when the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment or is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that is intimidating, hostile or abusive. A hostile work environment occurs when such behavior significantly disrupts an individual’s ability to perform their job or creates an atmosphere of fear, discomfort, or exclusion.
In the workplace, harassment can take many forms. Some examples include overtly offensive comments, bullying, posting memes, or it can be subtle, like excluding someone from important conversations, making them feel invisible, or spreading rumors to destroy their reputation. The effects of a hostile work environment can undermine a person’s self-confidence, impact their mental health, and lead people to leave the Service. Whatever the form, harassment erodes the trust and respect that allows us to work together so effectively, especially during the most demanding missions when lives are at stake.
All Coast Guard units and employees should strive to create an environment in which all members can feel safe to raise concerns and feel confident that those concerns will be addressed. Prevention is one of the best tools to eliminate harassment in the workplace. It’s not just about following Coast Guard regulations, it’s about creating an environment where people feel safe and supported, and to be able to do their best work. It's important to understand that any form of harassment in the Coast Guard will not be tolerated, but if it does occur, there are programs in place to address and end the unwanted behaviors.
Strengthening service culture requires living the Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty and taking decisive action against harassment. This commitment ensures trust and dignity are preserved across the workforce. For more information, please contact your local Civil Rights Service Provider or contact the Anti-Harassment Program Office at SMB-COMDT-AHPO@uscg.mil.